The Story of La Befana
(an Epiphany legend)

One day three men dressed in strange clothes knocked on the door of a little old woman.

They explained they were seeking a newborn child--a wondrous child. They asked for directions, but she did not
know.

They showed her their costly gifts and invited her to join them on the journey, but she declined, stating she had not
finished her sweeping.

Later, the woman had a change of heart, and decided to bring a gift for the little child herself. She thought,
"Frankincence, myrrh, and gold is all very fine, but a child really needs a warm blanket." She took a baby blanket
from her old chest, thinking, "Perhaps a small toy as well."

Then she thought, "What if the child has older brothers or sisters. I'll bet the men never thought of anything for
them." She slipped some more toys into her big sack; she picked out several because she didn't know what ages the
other children might be. It was just dark when she left.

The men, of course, were the three magi from the East.

Alas, she did not ever catch up to the three magi. Though the woman left little gifts for any children she did find, she
never did find the little child about which they spoke.

Still, the woman had such joy in giving, she continued to leave gifts at many Italian homes with children each January 5,
the Epiphany Eve. She became known as La Befana, the old woman of the Feast of the Epiphany.

Her skirt and apron became torn and patched. Her shoes became worn. All the good children she visits get treats
and toys, while all the bad children get a lump of coal or bundle of kindling sticks. Yet even the coal is not so bad,
because sometimes the coal is really a black sugar candy.

As a tidy Italian nonnina, La Befana will quickly sweep the floor of any home she visits--just before departing. She
has made this annual journey for many, many years.

In her travels, she walked all over Italy and eventually to other lands where there are Italians who tell her story and
where there are children who could use a small gift or two. And now, I have told her story to you.